Yes. I don't think I'm alone in feeling more comfortable when I know what you are looking to get from me. Moreover, whatever works to lessen the cognitive load whenever I fill forms is welcome (for instance; optional fields, choice-based answers over free form ones when appropriate (albeit _optional_ comments are welcome too), delayed filling, etc.).
Problem is, we have to subscribe to a heap of websites, and so having to provide much information every time gets old, even when such questions are legitimate. I think websites should strive to balance between what they need (information) and what the user is looking for (a service). At registration time, I don't know how much value you will provide me, and still you want me to take the hassle to register. So to speak, you should sell me the need to provide you information. For instance, I liked when I visited Ebay the first time and it allowed me to watch items _without having to register at all_. Ebay proved itself useful before asking me to register (of course, later I was _eager_ to). Ryanair offers to remember your form, _without you having to register_. OTOH, I hate whenever I'm asked to register to an e-commerce website just to order one item, while I'm unlikely to visit that site again.
Problem is, we have to subscribe to a heap of websites, and so having to provide much information every time gets old, even when such questions are legitimate. I think websites should strive to balance between what they need (information) and what the user is looking for (a service). At registration time, I don't know how much value you will provide me, and still you want me to take the hassle to register. So to speak, you should sell me the need to provide you information. For instance, I liked when I visited Ebay the first time and it allowed me to watch items _without having to register at all_. Ebay proved itself useful before asking me to register (of course, later I was _eager_ to). Ryanair offers to remember your form, _without you having to register_. OTOH, I hate whenever I'm asked to register to an e-commerce website just to order one item, while I'm unlikely to visit that site again.
Have a nice day.